aaron wrote:Hable, you can't post anything on here without offending someone. (Some of these folks on here are not much better than Ann Coulter, really.) So don't take it personally.

I, for one, appreciated your post. And I also think Abuelo's is just fine.

I agree. I really appreciate the efforts Abuelo's is making to further serve their vegetarian customers, and I also appreciate a restaurant manager reading and responding to criticism of their restaurant.

i went there recently and my husband and i liked it quite a bit. the appetizer with the 3 dips is delicious! the service was Very attentive. to the point of 'dude, get the hell out of here, seriously..' but i enjoy the food. i've been in madison since february and haven't found much good mexican food. i came from the belvidere/rockford area where there were lots of little mexican places (with actual mexicans and actual mexican food). nothing fancy. just little tacos with onions and cilantro, tortas, weird shit like tripe and such.. maybe someone butchering an animal in the back.. that's all i want. anyone know of a little hole in the wall place such as this??

Antojitos el Toril (the place on Cottage Grove) is indeed my favorite, but I've heard good things about Juanita's Tacos on Rimrock, and the foron commentary on La Concha (behind the Dairy Queen on Fish Hatch) is almost pornographic. There's also ongoing TDPF discussion on La Mestiza on Odana, although the thread is poorly named and you'll have to hunt for it.

Really, if you think there isn't any good Mexican in Madison, it's only because you haven't found it yet. It's like looking for pale constellations. You have to look AWAY from the bright lights of the big chain strip on the western extremities of University.

There's a place on the north side of the main road through Marshall called Pedros (I think, can't quite remember!!!) - it's next to one of those sub shops, Jimmy Johns or something like that. I'm in the town of Sun Prairie, so it's just down the road for me, but it's definitely worth a stop, and worth a drive if you're on the east side.

lizC wrote:There's a place on the north side of the main road through Marshall called Pedros (I think, can't quite remember!!!) - it's next to one of those sub shops, Jimmy Johns or something like that. I'm in the town of Sun Prairie, so it's just down the road for me, but it's definitely worth a stop, and worth a drive if you're on the east side.

I really like Abuelos - and have from the beginning. I have never been a fan of Pedros - no matter what you order it tastes the same. My mom calls it "flat Mexican food" - because your plate is just one flat mess.

Abuelos has a really great flavor and their menu has a good variety. I've been really impressed and hope they stick around.

tillybob wrote:I really like Abuelos - and have from the beginning. I have never been a fan of Pedros - no matter what you order it tastes the same. My mom calls it "flat Mexican food" - because your plate is just one flat mess.

Abuelos has a really great flavor and their menu has a good variety. I've been really impressed and hope they stick around.

Re-visiting this thread, because I agree. I have always enjoyed everything I've had at Abuelo's. I spent years in California and have had the pleasure of dining at some very down-home (i.e. "authentic") Mexican and southwestern restaurants. I have found Abuelo's to be almost comparable, in many ways, not all, and consider it one of the best Mexican places in the Madison area.Notice I said "one" of the best. My favorite is probably La Mestiza, but Abuelo's runs a very close second.

On my first visit the food at Abuelos was Nasty with a capitalized N, but I did like the blue sky ceiling. The salsa was alright, but I'm pretty sure the fajitas were previously frozen and reheated in el microwave...yum. Do yourself a favor and 1. get a flank steak 2. marinate in cumin,garlic powder, salt and pepper 3. grill it yourself

Villanelle wrote:On my first visit the food at Abuelos was Nasty with a capitalized N, but I did like the blue sky ceiling. The salsa was alright, but I'm pretty sure the fajitas were previously frozen and reheated in el microwave...yum. Do yourself a favor and 1. get a flank steak 2. marinate in cumin,garlic powder, salt and pepper 3. grill it yourself

Villanelle, I am truly sorry that you did not like the fajitas. I can promise you that we do grill all of our meat ourselves. As for the type of meat that we use for the fajitas, it is a skirt streak. Skirt steak and flank steak are very similar in properties as well as consistancy.

recipeexchange.tribe.net wrote:The skirt steak is the diaphragm muscle. It is a long, flat piece of meat, with a tendency toward toughness. But it has good flavor. It can be grilled or pan fried quickly with good results. Another traditional method is to stuff it, roll it, and braise it. In many areas of the country (Texas, for example) skirt steak is the only cut to be used when making "real" fajitas.

The flank steak is the traditional cut used for London Broil. It is long, thin, and full of tough connective tissue. It is usually marinated before being broiled or grilled whole. Because it is tough, you usually slice it thinly on a diagonal across the grain to sever the tough fibers and make the flavorful steak chewable.

The marinade that we use does include all of the ingredients that you listed, and then a few more. Personally, I like the fajitas, but I think we have other items that are even better!If you ever are over this way again and want to give us a try, please look me up. I will be more than happy to show you my operation, and answer any questions that you might have, or assist in getting you a dish that you will enjoy.

Ahsley wrote:My coworker and I got a lunch special to go. blech. not going back.

Ashley, I am also sorry that you did not care for the items that you and your co-worker recieved. If you ever want to try it again, please let me know and I will make sure that we get you something that will be good and flavorful.

On, a menu note: We do now have vegetarian beans available all of the time for any of our vegetarian guests that would like them. We also are well versed in taking care of Gluten Free diets (We can make gluten free chips and tortillas!), and have no problem making special items if any guest would need or ask for them. If anyone has any questions, please contact me.